For the past year, North Carolina’s unemployment rate has wavered between 9.4 percent and 9.6 percent. The January rate for Lenoir County is 10.8 percent, Jones Co. is 10.7 percent and Greene Co. is 9.8 percent.

With a Kinston McDonald’s store re-opening in May featuring a new and larger building, the fast food chain is looking to create at least 80 jobs in Kinston and Snow Hill. Some of those positions could lead into a career in management, Roberta Copple, Dixon Foods training manager, said.

“We’re looking for people looking to make a career out of this,” she said. “We have an excellent training program.”

McDonald’s is also looking to fill cashier, grill and maintenance positions — both full- and part-time.

Dixon Foods is holding a hiring day at Lenoir Community College’s JobLink Career Center in the Bullock Building from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 10.

“We want to hire about 50 people for the new store,” Copple said.

The remodeled store, 612 E. New Bern Road, is expected to open sometime around May 9-15, she said. There are both full- and part-time positions available there.

“We’re looking for some customer-focused people that enjoy being with people,” Copple said.

McDonald’s is especially needs people for the 2-5 p.m. shift, but other shifts are available, she said. There will be shifts for mothers looking to work while the children are in school, college students who need a mid-afternoon job and other people who are looking for part-time work.

“It’s a good opportunity if they have another job, like bus drivers,” Copple said.

Applicants will be interviewed at the hiring day, and selected candidates will have a second interview by the store manager or may be called in later. Applications are kept on file for a year, Copple said.

Phoebe Emory, LCC’s JobLink director, said applicants should arrive at the center prepared to make a good impression and maintain professional conduct.

“They need to remember to dress professionally for the interview,” she said.

If applicants have questions, a trained career consultant is available at the hiring site.

It’s recommended interested candidates apply early at the JobLink Center during business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday. Bring two forms of identification, including a photo I.D. Candidates can also apply at dixonfoods.com/employment.php.

To schedule an interview for April 10, call the JobLink Career Center at 252-527-7320.

Margaret Fisher can be reached at 252-559-1082 or Margaret.Fisher@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @MargaretFishr.

To apply,

What: McDonald’s hiring day

When: 9 a.m.–6 p.m., April 10

Where: Lenoir Community College, JobLink Career Center, Bullock Building